Judges

September 04, 2015

The Ohio Supreme Court reports that the Ohio Judicial College has just honored former and retired Cuyahoga County Common PleasJudge Richard M. Markus with the Thomas J. Moyer Award for Judicial Excellence. Judge Markus was praised for being "a nationally prominent litigator and accomplished judge" who "is known for his extraordinary leadership skills and interest in the lives of others." "Judge Markus served on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and the Eighth District Court of Appeals, six chief justices assigned him as a visiting judge for 40 counties and five appellate courts. In addition to his service as a litigator and judge, Judge Markus is a prolific author with a number of books, including “Trial Handbook for Ohio Lawyers [now called Ohio Trial Practice],”and numerous articles to his credit. Also an educator, he was a law professor at Akron, Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State, and Harvard universities, and presented many hundreds of seminar lectures to lawyers and judges in 42 states and four foreign countries. He has served on faculties for M.I.T., the National Judicial College, the Institute for Judicial Administration (New York University), and the Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, and is a co-founder of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy."

"A judge who exercises the authority to perform civil marriages may not refuse to perform same-sex marriages while continuing to perform opposite-sex marriages. A judge may not decline to perform all marriages in order to avoid marrying same-sex couples based on his or her personal, moral, or religious beliefs."

The full text of the Opinion can be found at this link, and the Supreme Court's press release can be found at this link.

"Judge Joan Synenberg will oversee the new docket beginning in January, joining Judge David Matia whose drug court has had nearly 250 participants since May 2009. The court’s main goal is to expand the program to include those with substance-use disorder and trauma-related mental health issues.... The addition of a second felony docket will expand availability of treatment for the burgeoning number of defendants with opiate-related diagnoses who require a more intensive treatment. The target is to have 60 participants each year, or 180 for the three-year grant period."

January 29, 2014

Last year, the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court voted to make its local Commercial Docket permanent. This year, having been appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, Judges Nancy Fuerst and Joseph D. Russo are joining Judges John P. O'Donnell and Richard J. McMonagle on the Commercial Docket. According to the Press Release,

November 22, 2013

If you have not already seen the Court's Press Release, Judge John Russo was unanimously elected as the new Administrative Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He will start his term in January, where his responsibilities will include presiding over the docket and working on Court policies. The Court's Press Release provides a great snapshot of Judge Russo's background, education and extensive involvement in the legal community. When commenting on his upcoming roles, Judge Russo was quoted as saying:

“I am excited about leading the Court forward in a collaborative approach with those involved in the Justice System. I want the opportunity to have a positive working relationship with all the work force that makes up the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas."

August 21, 2013

N.D. Ohio Chief Judge Solomon Oliver and 86 other federal district court chief judges have signed and sent a joint letter to Congress requesting financial assistance. Analogizing themselves to "the boots on the ground in our nation's federal trial courts," the judges claim that reduced funding and sequestration have forced them to "slash ... operations to the bone." The judges fear that their "constitutional duties, public safety, and the quality of the justice system will be profoundly compromised by any further cuts."

August 05, 2013

The National Center for State Courts has issued a new Trends in State Courts (2103 edition). Some of the articles in this year's issue cover: mandatory pro bono service; child protection; improving courthouse customer service; understanding the impact of human trafficking on state courts; strategic networks and plans; and access to justice issues for the poor. This edition marks the 25th anniversary of this publication.

Former judges may not use judicial titles while practicing law, engaging in law-related or other business activities, working in government or other public sector positions, or providing charity or community services. Former judges serving as retired assigned, acting, and private judges may use judicial titles in case-related entries, orders, decisions, and correspondence. Former judges are permitted to describe past judicial service and experience in communications such as biographical sketches, resumes, and curricula vitae. This opinion only applies to the affirmative use of judicial titles by former judges, and not the honorific use of judicial titles by others. Judges subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct, however, must make reasonable efforts to ensure that former judges involved in proceedings as lawyers, parties, or witnesses are not addressed by judicial titles in the proceedings.

This new rule does not prevent lawyers and others who, out of respect, still want to use the title when speaking with a former Judge.